New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-29
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
PRESBYTERIAN THOUGHT AND TALK
WHAT OTHER CHURCHES ARE DOING


WHAT OTHER CHURCHES ARE DUNN
The most notable religious event OF the week mas
been the on yteran unity in tue two
great Presbyterian Assemblies at Omaha ana Oh
Louis. IL is evident from this discussion thae
a large minority OF the Southern Presoyterians arc
not yet ready for union aud that Ii union Is consum
mated they will sscede The position OF these anti
unionsts is we'll stated by the Rev. Dr. R. X. Smoot,
OF Texas: The delegates" he says, are divided
into three sets those who want organic union,
complete fusion OF the two bodies int one those VINO
not exactly union, but cooperation OF the Two
churches all their work. both at home and ABROAD
although both retaining distinct Identity ana lastly,
those who want union at all and no co-opcraton'
am one OF the last am opposed to any chanse III
present relations. believe that there is sucn an
essential difference in the standards OF Interpretation
In the two bodies that bringing them together would
only result In strife and alienation rather than IN the
peace and progress of the Christian cause. claim
that the differences existing between the North and
South not based deliyerances uttered ID times
OF excitement both parties have been honest in what
they have SAID aud dole both have claimed aud still
claim TO be governed by principle. and unless one
side the other gives up what he holds to be night
how a compromise be elected Such thing
in religious affairs. The two Churches are sep
arated by principles underlying their work. The
range of Interpretation given by the Northern Church
in their assemblies Is wider and more liberal IN secu-
lar political matters, while the Southern Church
maintains that the province OF their Legislation is
confined to things purely spiritual and that tney
cannot handle or conclude any others. The South
ern Assembly has never to my knowledge made de-
lverance on political matters since their first gather
ing at Augusta, Ga, in December, 1861"
On the other hand the Rev. DR.. joseph 7. Smith,
the moderator of the Northern Assembly, says: A
union woud undoubtedly benefit both branches of
the Church. and Presbyterians in general. We are
all brethren in Christ and believers OF the Same ialth
and in the doctrines and it is only proper that
we should exist as only one Church. The sentiment
in favor of reunion is general among the members OF
the PresD yterian Church throughout the North and
l believe the great majority OF the Southern PresDy-
teraus desire to the two branches OF the Church
reunited union Is desirable for the reason that
the strength of the Church would be increased its
machinery would be reduced, and above all, because
union ID brotherly"
Tho Rev. DIR. johnson, a colored member Of the
Nortt Assembly puts the matter in this way The
recently manifested by the Episcopalians
at Charleston are even common among Southern
Presbyteriaus although OF course, no occasion has
vet been given for so remarkable o demonstration.
The Southern Presbyterans are already consld erng
the advisablty OF organizing colored Presoytc ran
Church in the South, which shall be similar to the
African Methodist Episcopal Church This Will give
the coored people church OF their own, with their
own presbyteIies and synods, and, OF course tnelr
exclusive ASSOCIATION among themselves. The southern
PRESBYTERIAN Church will give the new organization ts
moral aid and support but II will doubtless oppose any
reorganization which will place the oolored brethren
upon the same social equality in the Church We
don't want this Church, aud, In the minds OF
many colored Presbyterans, doubt exists as to the
voted tor II, as did every colored member OF thus
Assembly. and hope 1t may be effected, but doubt
that IL will be done soon"
The Rev. James IT, Hoadey, pastor of the Faith
Presbyterian Church of this city, has striking article
in The Independent" the religious restitution OF
New-York City. And although he speaks only OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church. what he says will apply
largely to other Christian bodies. Mr.. Hoadley be-
gins by saying that the Presbyterian Churches OF
this city have during the past ten years contributed
nearly a million dollars to domestic MISSIONS in the
West especially, while at the time largo sections
OF this city are without any Presbyterian place OF
worship In 1915. when New-York had population
OF only 81 223 there thirty eight presbyterian
churches in tho CITY, In 1888. with population OF
nearly 800. 000 there only torty-one churches
Ia thrty-nino years there was an increase OF only
three churches. The Sixth Watd OF this city has
DO uation OF 10000 and in 1t there are but three
Protestant places of worship, not one OF them being
Presbyterian. The Fourteenth Ward has population
OF A. 600 ana has only five Protestant places Of
worship. not one of them Presbyterian And the
Tenth Ward has q population Of 10000 with but two
Protestant places OF worship, neither them being
PRESBYTERIAN. where Is there in the West, asks
Mr. Hoadley, 9anything to compare with this In
the three wards in the midst of which the othces Of
the Homo Board. and the Board OF Church Erection
arc situated there is population of 81 1000 with not
single Presbyterian church, and with only nine places
OF Protestant worship: The native born population
OF these wards is ~ 1923 IL cannot be said there
is no need tor Protestant churches here.
"The ADORE facts would indicate that in the efforts
which have heretofore been made by the Presbyterian
church 10 plant cnurcnes IN NltiS thc
are mos needed some one has blundcred.' The gren
cities have been too long neglected
Onc-ilth OF the population OF the entire country
il 20 be found in the cities The tendency OF the age
IA TO centraze in masses Unless the matter OF church
extension in great cities Is at once taken mp aud
vigorously cu,h d. IL will soon be too late. The hope
of the Church in this age and tor that matter In any
age Ia In the toothod it can secure In the great cen
tres OF population"
The Epscopaans of Nebraska are talking about the
sermon preached few days ago by the Rsv. w. U
Pearson at the opening OF the Diocesan Convention
Mr. Pearson denounced rs blasphemous the doctrine o.
the Real Presence az commonly held by extreme rlt
ualists A few years ago this would have excited nc
comment but the high churchmen are now 50 strong
IN the Episcopal Church that they feel able to resent
any criticism of their views by other schools G.
thought the ground that such criticism is directed
against the doctrines OF the church.
The First Church of Springfield Mass. which cele
brated tho 250th anniversary of its existence last
sunday has had ten pastors altogether. the present
one being the Rev Michael Burnham. Ii has had toul
houses of worship built on almost the same spot.
During the last week the sixty second annual meet
ing of the American Unitarian Association was held
In Boston The annual report shows that Unitarlansu
Ia still vigorous and hourshng. although as one OF
the brethIen sardoncay remarked 1t does not grow
with nearly so much rapidity since the orthodox
churches allow many OF their members TO holc
doctrines which are practically Unitarian.